New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-25
THE ERROR OF MR.. CURTIS.

Mr.. G. w. Curtis has chosen second occa-
sion, according to another interviewer, Of
making known his opinion in regard to the
denomination of President Cleveland. 1t is to
he presumed that the second interview gave
with precision his opinions, and his opinions
only. The net result OF his latest statement
is that the Democratic party cannot refuse to
nominate Mr.. Cleveland without inviting de-
feat, but aas to the probable result of the cleo
ton. assuming that Mr. Cleveland will be the
Democratic nominee, it is altogether too early
to express a confident opinion" II may not be
out 81 place to consider briefly why Mr.. Curtis
and Others like him could not have sound
opinion on that subject whether cohndehV
or not.
Government is still the strongest force In
politics, More persons are governed by that
sentiment than by any other motive in refusing
their support to the party which caused and
sympathized with rebellion and which sue
ceeds and hopes to succeed only by resisting
and defying the National laws ESQ that in
several States minority suppresses the major
ity and casts the electoral vOe). But in Mr.
Curtis that sentiment has so far died out that
he considers it far more important to have
certain Civil Service rules enforced. In that
oninion he is part of a small minority. Nine
tenths of the loyal Republicans of this country
are disposed DO support the enforcement OF inc
Civil Service rules, and are perfectly aware.
Notwithstanding all withdrawing reports and
speeches. that the President has failed to
observe faithfully his promises in that res I'D.
But nine -tenths of the loyal Republicans OF
the land care far more about retaining the
Government in the hands Of those who were
and arc loyal, rather than in the hands OF
those who were and are disoyal. and since
Mr.. Curtis does not, he fails to comprehend the
force of that preference.
Next in potency. as political force, Is the
attachment to the protective system as means
of developing and defending American indus
try. More than nine-tentbs OF the Repuoil-
cans. and a great number OF Democrats, nave
been so impressed by twenty years OF ex-
| perience under protective tariff that they Will
not vote for any Presidential candidate who
| is known to DC hostile TO that system. Presl-
dent Cleveland's hostility isnot now concealed.
! In the last campaign he was induced, just DO
| fore the election to make speech at Newark
which his partisans could pretend was q com
mitment to the protective policy Since that
4
time he has selected an ultra Free Trader a.
Secretary Of the Treasury. In his letter tc
MIR. Manning be has declared in favor OF col
lecting the entire revenue Sby duties on
few score articles" BY many perso appeals
to members he tried to secure tho passage Of
the Morrison BILL making wool free OF duty
and in other respects Gripping the PROTECTIVE
system. II is no longer possible for tho
country to be deceived about his position OF
purposes But Mr.. Curtis is hostile TO thu
protective system. and incapable OF compre
bending It's strength with the people. h'
fancies that devoted affection for Civil Scr
vice rules, and for Mr.. Cleveland as an heroic
enforcer of them, will sway more votes thar
the intelligent appreciation of nahona
policy which has marvellously benefited al
American labor. In that he is completes!
mistaken.